Rehm Will Face Steffenhagen in 2026 District Race

The Minnesota House District 48B seat will be decided by voters on November 3, 2026.

Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Legislative Policy

Bold flat-color editorial illustration featuring a minimalist ballot box silhouette in an empty corridor, representing the upcoming Minnesota legislative election. — Incumbent Minnesota Representative Lucy Rehm will challenge Republican Caleb Steffenhagen for the District 48B seat on November 3, 2026, in a contest determining state House control. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Incumbent Lucy Rehm will challenge Republican Caleb Steffenhagen for the Minnesota House District 48B seat on November 3, 2026. This contest is a critical battleground that will help decide which party controls the state House.

Why it matters

The Minnesota House is currently split between 67 Republicans and 67 DFLers, making every seat pivotal for ending the power-sharing arrangement. Control of the chamber will determine the state's legislative agenda for the upcoming term.

The Minnesota House currently functions with an even split of 67 Republicans and 67 DFL members. A net change of a single seat will determine which party holds the majority in the chamber.

The players

Lucy Rehm

She is the incumbent legislator representing House District 48B who won her first term in 2022.

Caleb Steffenhagen

He is a teacher and an intelligence officer in the Army National Guard running for the district seat.

The details

Lucy Rehm, who narrowly won reelection in 2024 by less than one percentage point, faces teacher and Army National Guard intelligence officer Caleb Steffenhagen. Steffenhagen has campaigned on proposals to ban cellphones in schools and end the state's moratorium on nuclear power plants, while Rehm holds a record that includes votes against the Preserving Girls' Sports Act and legislation banning certain adults from MinnesotaCare.

Lucy Rehm first won her seat in 2022.
Lucy Rehm served her first term from 2023 to 2024.
Lucy Rehm won her second term in 2024.
Rehm voted against the MinnesotaCare ban in June 2025.
Election day for the House District 48B seat is November 3, 2026.

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Political Context

The race centers on policy differences like the Preserving Girls' Sports Act, which serves as a benchmark for ideological divisions in the state. Opponents argue that these policies are essential for legislative standards, while supporters of the incumbent view such mandates as overreach.

The outcome of this race directly impacts local taxpayers who may see changes to fees like car tab rates. Voters in the district will ultimately determine which party controls the chamber and influences future state tax and spending legislation.

The takeaway

Voters in District 48B face a choice between two distinct legislative visions that will decide the balance of power in St. Paul. Residents should review the specific policy proposals of both candidates regarding tax and education reforms before heading to the polls.